Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala PWD Minister PA Mohammed Riyas on Monday strongly rejected the allegations raised against him in connection with the dispute over bribery of Public Service Commission (PSC) members and warned of legal action against those who raised "unfounded" charges against him.
When journalists sought his reaction on the issue, the minister alleged that it was an attempt to smear him "personally" and that he was only aware of it through media reports.
His reaction came in the wake of allegations that a CPI(M) leader in Kozhikode North district had allegedly collected thousands of rupees from a person promising to make him a PSC member, and Riyas' name has been linked to it.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's son-in-law Minister Riyas said his name has been continuously dragged into negative issues these days by vested interests and everyone knows the real intentions behind such measures.
"Although it is understood and later proven that there is no truth in such unfounded accusations, they are not willing to correct or explain them. Therefore, I have decided to take legal action against those who drag my name into such absurd matters." " he said.
The PWD minister said that the LDF government will take strict action against miscreants, and the CM has already made it clear in the state Assembly.
Meanwhile, CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan vindicated Riyas and reiterated that the allegations were baseless.
He said that the CPI(M) would elect PSC members solely on their merits and if anyone did anything wrong, strict action would be taken against them.
He said the party is well aware that Riyas has no role in the bribery charges, so there is no need for an investigation against him.
"We all know how the PSC members are deciding. If the police receive a complaint about it, they can investigate," he said in response to a question from journalists.
The Left leader stated that the CPI(M) is not a party that decides PSC membership by accepting money.
Govindan also said that the Marxist party will not admit such irregularities and strict action will be taken against such practices.
However, the BJP and Congress district leaders in Kozhikode reacted to the matter and called for a thorough probe into the allegations.
BJP state president K Surendran said the bribe was accepted by saying Riyas' name and a detailed investigation should be carried out into the matter.
"It is not an ordinary corruption case. It was committed in the name of a responsible person in power. Therefore, a thorough investigation must be carried out," he said at a press conference here.
He also alleged that various corruption and malpractices are taking place under the aegis of CPI(M) in Kozhikode North district.
When journalists sought his reaction on the issue, the minister alleged that it was an attempt to smear him "personally" and that he was only aware of it through media reports.
His reaction came in the wake of allegations that a CPI(M) leader in Kozhikode North district had allegedly collected thousands of rupees from a person promising to make him a PSC member, and Riyas' name has been linked to it.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's son-in-law Minister Riyas said his name has been continuously dragged into negative issues these days by vested interests and everyone knows the real intentions behind such measures.
"Although it is understood and later proven that there is no truth in such unfounded accusations, they are not willing to correct or explain them. Therefore, I have decided to take legal action against those who drag my name into such absurd matters." " he said.
The PWD minister said that the LDF government will take strict action against miscreants, and the CM has already made it clear in the state Assembly.
Meanwhile, CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan vindicated Riyas and reiterated that the allegations were baseless.
He said that the CPI(M) would elect PSC members solely on their merits and if anyone did anything wrong, strict action would be taken against them.
He said the party is well aware that Riyas has no role in the bribery charges, so there is no need for an investigation against him.
"We all know how the PSC members are deciding. If the police receive a complaint about it, they can investigate," he said in response to a question from journalists.
The Left leader stated that the CPI(M) is not a party that decides PSC membership by accepting money.
Govindan also said that the Marxist party will not admit such irregularities and strict action will be taken against such practices.
However, the BJP and Congress district leaders in Kozhikode reacted to the matter and called for a thorough probe into the allegations.
BJP state president K Surendran said the bribe was accepted by saying Riyas' name and a detailed investigation should be carried out into the matter.
"It is not an ordinary corruption case. It was committed in the name of a responsible person in power. Therefore, a thorough investigation must be carried out," he said at a press conference here.
He also alleged that various corruption and malpractices are taking place under the aegis of CPI(M) in Kozhikode North district.
